St. Patrick's Plates: Find Offbeat Eats

It isn't just about the green beer in the days ahead of March 17.

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It isn't just about the green beer in the days ahead of March 17; there are dishes like Hopdoddy's Luck-O-The-Doddy Burger to enjoy, too.

While corned beef, boiled potatoes, cabbage, and a dash of horseradish can rule our dinner plates -- and hearts and happiness, of course -- come March 17, there are a number of other cuisine choices when it comes to honoring St. Patrick's Day.

Some swear by that hearty favorite, Irish soda bread, and others dearly love their shepherd pie, in all of the many variations it steamily rules.

All these iconic edibles more than work, and to each their merry own. But some revelers more fully embrace the holiday's twinkle-in-the-eye side, and they seek out savories -- and sweets -- to match the merriness. That's when the offbeat foods of March enter the scene, and while they don't need to be too outlandish, they just should have something a little special. Look for that specialness at spots like...

Hopdoddy: The Austin-HQ'd burger joint has a few spots around SoCal -- Playa Vista and El Segundo among them -- and a penchant for going a little further where interesting patties are concerned. Look to the restaurant's Luck-O-The-Doddy Burger, which is only available on March 17, 2016. Is the bun green? It is. Is that green beer cheese atop the beef patty? Yep. Are there Kennebec fries, sassy sauce, and other adds to flavor it all up? Indeed.

Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood: There's no green bun with your holiday burger, but there are two stalwarts of Irish beveragedom: Guinness and Jameson Whiskey. They're not served alongside the meal, but rather atop it; the Jameson shows up in jam form, while Guinness Stout is in the cheese. The name of the burger should be a snap to remember: The Guinness & Jameson Bacon Cheeseburger. It's available through April 10.

Tam O'Shanter: March 17 at the historic cottage-esque landmark'll be all about Irish folk music, rocking tunes, green beer, and sips of whiskey. Those showing up with a sweet tooth in tow will want to know about the shamrock-shaped sugar cookies and the Bailey's cupcakes. Bailey's cupcakes? Clearly "time coming" and "great ideas" dovetail deliciously in this dessert concept.

Salt & Straw: The Larchmont -- and now Abbot Kinney -- ice cream shop has found Pots of Gold & Rainbows in one of its March flavors. The month-long ice cream flavor is a multi-hued delight brimming with Lucky Charms marshmallows. The scoops do look as though they were plucked from a rainbow, so make a wish before you take that first lick.